Suspects rounded up in undercover drug operation

Published: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11:41 p.m.

Seventeen suspects were rounded up Friday on various drug charges stemming from an undercover narcotics operation in Manatee County.

During the past three months, members of the Special Investigations Division conducted multiple undercover drug investigations throughout the county. As a result of this operation, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office issued arrest warrants for 44 subjects, totaling 115 charges.

The undercover agents in this operation were acting as buyers, conducting deals with the suspects for various drugs, including prescription pills and crack cocaine.

The roundup phase of the operation conduct Friday led to the 17 subjects arrested on various drug charges, including violation of probation and trafficking.

Five subjects were already in jail on unrelated charges and charged with additional crimes. The 22 other suspects remain at large.

Dave Bristow, spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, said tracking down about half of the suspects during the first day of the "roundup" phase is typical.

"It used to be that we would go out and do these in one night," Bristow said. "But word would get out on the street."

Holding the warrants allows the deals to take place without news of the arrests spreading.

Bristow said cocaine is making a small comeback on the streets, which may be a result of price increases in prescription narcotics after legislation cracking down on pill mills.

<p>Seventeen suspects were rounded up Friday on various drug charges stemming from an undercover narcotics operation in Manatee County. </p><p>During the past three months, members of the Special Investigations Division conducted multiple undercover drug investigations throughout the county. As a result of this operation, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office issued arrest warrants for 44 subjects, totaling 115 charges.</p><p>The undercover agents in this operation were acting as buyers, conducting deals with the suspects for various drugs, including prescription pills and crack cocaine.</p><p>The roundup phase of the operation conduct Friday led to the 17 subjects arrested on various drug charges, including violation of probation and trafficking. </p><p>Five subjects were already in jail on unrelated charges and charged with additional crimes. The 22 other suspects remain at large. </p><p>Dave Bristow, spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, said tracking down about half of the suspects during the first day of the "roundup" phase is typical.</p><p>"It used to be that we would go out and do these in one night," Bristow said. "But word would get out on the street."</p><p>Holding the warrants allows the deals to take place without news of the arrests spreading. </p><p>Bristow said cocaine is making a small comeback on the streets, which may be a result of price increases in prescription narcotics after legislation cracking down on pill mills.</p>